The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-26
SHERIDAN oUrGENERALED.
A Little Contest in Which Little Phil Was
Worsted by Mrs. s.
Pittsburg Times

Pittsburg Times
A very amusing story about General Sheridan
has Just been told me that is well worth reproduc-
ing. 1t seems that some artist about three or
four years ago painted portrait of General
Sheridan that proved a dismal failure, but never
theless was hung up in the Generals private OF
fee, and there continued to hang until it became
so familiar as to cease to cause comment Finally,
after the portrait had been hanging there for
two or three years. request came from q G. A.
r. post in Ohio for picture of the hero OF Win
chester with which to adorn the walls of their
rooms The General was meditating as to how
he could fill their request, when his eye lit upon
tho caricature of himself that hung upon the
wall
1.-THE very thing!' sprung into his mind, and
as tits we'll known with him to think is to act he
straightway tapped his bell, and bade bis or
derby take down the picture and box it ready for
shipment That night at dinner ne informed
Mrs. Sheridan of the request from the Ohio post,
and the manner in which he intended complying
with it.
]. .'Oh, Philip" said Mrs. Sheridan. mot that
horrible thing that has been hanging on your Of
lice wall for the last year or sof"
2 1.-THE very same" said the General.
But, Philip, il you send this picture out it
will be placed prominently on the wall aud la.
beled as present from you, and that awful
daub will go down to posterity as likeness of
yourself, and some future day will turn ny, to
the unspeakable horror Of your children and
friends, as perfect likeness of how you looked
when in your prime"
Then followed a stormy scene, Mrs. Sheridan
arguing that the picture should not be sent and
the General taking the side that he must, in
some way, comply with the request, and he
had nothing else to send this picture should go.
The argument waxed hotter and hotter, until
finally General Sheridan got up and marched to
the door, and having reached that strategic point
turned and said:
Mrs Sheridan, that picture shall 60. Now
let neither Of us ever mention its existence
again"
Having said this he left tho room before Mrs.
Sheridan had time to say word in reply.
But he little knew his wife's pluck; for early
next morning, before anyone was up, she went
down to his Office and surprised the orderly in
the very act OF boxing the picture.
''Is there any paint or varnish here that will
stick and not wash off" she sweety asked
Yes madam" answered the unsuspecting SOL
der
Bring it to me. please" said Mrs. Sheridan.
1.-THE orderly fetched some black paint from
the outer Office aud gave it to AIRS. Sheridan.
Then she, deliberately turning the unlucky
painting on it's back, brushed every resemblance
of picture from off the canvass, only leaving q
dim visa of black paint.
"Oh DO stay here until the General comes"
all the wretched orderly could gasp he
saw this surprising proceeding But he had
need of this request, for hardly were the words
out of his mouth before Sherdan's light step
was heard in the outer Office and in an instant
eye in instant took In the state Of affairs and
turning red in the face he said:
'Mrs. Sheridan, what does this pro-"
'Stop, Philip" said she, last night you made
the rec uest that neither Of us should ever hen
ton this again" pointing to what remained of
the picture. do not be the first to break the
quest" and without anotheriword she swept out
of the Office, leaving little Phil absolutely rooted
to the floor.
tits perhaps needless to tell that that picture
has been a dead-letter in the Sheridan household
from that day TO this, and bids fair to remain